Celebrate With Henna Hands

Trace around your hands to imitate the look of intricate henna designs on paper. These traditional, temporary tattoos are used to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Hindu weddings, and other auspicious occasions.

• 1.

  Ancient Egyptians decorated mummies with henna. Over time, the tradition for celebrating auspicious occasions with beautiful henna body art spread through Africa, India, and Arabic countries. Henna-decorated hands now are common around the world when people celebrate events such as Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Find out more about this ancient tradition, and then show what you’ve learned with henna hand designs on paper.

• 2.

  Trace around your hands, spread apart, on construction paper with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. Between them, draw a Muslim girl, Hindu bride, or other female celebrating a special occasion. Color her skin with Crayola Multicultural Markers. Color her clothing (traditional or contemporary) with your colored pencils.

• 3.

  Use a brown or red Crayola Fine Line Marker and your imagination to create henna-like designs on the hands. Make the art intricate and delicate. Write or present a description of the event that is being celebrated and the meaning of the symbols.

Benefits

• Students research the historic and contemporary uses of henna body art in various cultures and for several different occasions.
• Students realize that henna is a reddish-brown natural plant substance that can be painted on skin as a temporary tattoo.
• Students prepare a drawing showing a female (in appropriate dress for the occasion) with her hands decorated with designs made by henna-colored markers.

Adaptations

• Learn about other ways in which Islamic families observe Ramadan and celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Create a display explaining the significance of these events.
• Some children construct lanterns to usher in the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. Find out what these lanterns look like and make your own lanterns.
• Younger children and those with special needs could outline each other’s hands to fill with designs.
• Assessment: Verify the accuracy of the clothing and suitability of the henna hand decorations for the occasion.